The Case of the Arson of the Occupation Museum Approaches Its Final Stage: The Court Will Hear the Last Statements from the Parties 0 8

The Riga District Court will continue the consideration of the criminal case regarding the arson of the Museum of Occupation of Latvia on Tuesday. The hearing in the appellate instance is scheduled for 13:00.

At the previous hearing, the lawyer of one of the defendants, Linda Elsberga, began her speech in the court debates. It is expected that she will conclude her speech today. After that, the court will hear another defender, the parties' rebuttals, and the final words of the defendants.

This means that the process is gradually approaching its concluding stage, although the date for the verdict has not yet been announced.

Three individuals are involved in the case — Konstantin Engels, Vitaly Lukyanovich, and Valentin Razmeritsa. The first-instance court found them guilty and imposed actual prison sentences. According to the verdict, Engels, whom the investigation considers the organizer of the crime, received six years and two months in prison. Lukyanovich was sentenced to four and a half years of imprisonment, while the direct perpetrator of the arson, Razmeritsa, received six years of imprisonment.

Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to compensate for the material and moral damage, as well as to cover the expenses related to the damage to the museum building.

According to the prosecution, the order for the arson was organized at the beginning of 2024. The investigation claims that Engels, while in Daugavgriva Prison, instructed through an intermediary to find a person to commit the crime at the Museum of Occupation of Latvia.

The perpetrator prepared an incendiary mixture, broke a window of the museum, and threw a bottle inside the building. The resulting fire was quickly localized; however, the damage to the museum's property exceeded 10,000 euros.

For society, this case has become one of the most high-profile crimes against historical memory sites in Latvia in recent years. The process has attracted particular attention due to statements about a possible connection between the crime and Russian special services.

Earlier, the publication "Dossier" reported that the arson was allegedly organized under the control of an officer of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate. However, these circumstances are not part of the charges being considered in this court process.

All three defendants have previous convictions. Two of them admitted their guilt and expressed remorse, while the alleged organizer refused to comment on the charges against him.

After the conclusion of the court debates, the court will be able to move on to the next stage of the case consideration and prepare a decision on the appeal.